1st Spring experience in Japan

[starun]

Went to Tokyo & Kyoto for the first time recently and it was an eye opener on the country’s culture and its people.
So good that it got me ... planning for the next one!

This time, it is with the folks, family trip and the decision is to organize an approximate 2 weeks journey, looking at last 2 weeks, next year Apr till May 1st. (14/15 days), Group size 5.

Has been viewing and taking down notes through the relevant threads/ itineraries; it is definitely helpful but faced with an information overload.

Do appreciate if fellow travelers can give their inputs for a rough plan, a guide (eg. Hokkaido &, start to end location) before I work on the finer details. We are open to all parts of Japan. Here’s a list of intent prepared to facilitate matters:

View Sakura (flexi on location)
Visit USJ (Osaka)
Visit Hokkaido(Majority time)
Visit Mt Fuji-Kawasaki lake area (cycling & cable ride)
Natural Onsen(good to experience)
Toyko (2 nights max)
Kyoto(opt out)

Folks would not prefer drive; physically okay to move around

Appreciate fellow travellers and can’t wait for japan round 2!

 

[oceanicmanta]

for Hokkaido, recommend self drive.

it's easy driving/navigating. In Apr, long hours of daylight.

 

[thwysg]

I'm confused. So where's your fly-in and fly-out? And flying into Hokkaido?

 

[starun]

Tickets not purchased. We are open on this, thinking to firm up the itinerary first before getting tics.

I'm confused. So where's your fly-in and fly-out? And flying into Hokkaido?

 

[szeli]

for Hokkaido, recommend self drive.

it's easy driving/navigating. In Apr, long hours of daylight.

yes self drive in Hokkaido is e best. there r alot of places that r hard/slow to reach by public transport.

 

[coldkey]

Avoid end of April (Golden Week) and beginning of May (China holiday).

 

[starun]

I will speak to the folks again. They have the concern of
1.unfamiliarity of roads even with google map maps
2. Rental & tolls
3. One driver only

yes self drive in Hokkaido is e best. there r alot of places that r hard/slow to reach by public transport.

 

[szeli]

I will speak to the folks again. They have the concern of
1.unfamiliarity of roads even with google map maps
2. Rental & tolls
3. One driver only

1. in-car GPS with English is easy to use. I used Google as a backup.
2. rental can be fairly cheap if u book in advance. tolls r easy to handle with e ETC card rental.
3. there r alot of service stops on their highways. just schedule enough rest stops.

 

[oceanicmanta]

in Hokkaido, tolls can be avoided using non-toll roads which are just as good/fast

my last trip in Sep17, covered 2,388km over 14 days, paid JPY 980 in toll =)

 

[starun]

Our leaves have been book. Thus looking for inputs on how can be plan our schedule with respect to this golden week

Avoid end of April (Golden Week) and beginning of May (China holiday).

 

[thwysg]

Our leaves have been book. Thus looking for inputs on how can be plan our schedule with respect to this golden week

Actually so long as you’re not heading out of any big cities, you’ll be fine. I went to Japan for almost 3 weeks and left on 1 May. Still not that bad since I was in Tokyo except when we went to Fuji Shibazakura Festival on the weekend. Roads jammed all the way..

 

[coldkey]

Some info on golden week
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html

Not familiar with Hokkaido in spring as I only visited in Autumn.

Some interesting places you can consider for spring trips
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7550.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6040.html

 

[coldkey]

Was at OCBC Cycle @ Sports Hub OCBC Arena and there was a booth to promote Hokkaido cycling tour.

They have a pamphlet with routes in a few areas and this website printed on the back.

http://www.hokkaido.cci.or.jp/cycletourism-hokkaido/

 

[James Tang]

Was at OCBC Cycle @ Sports Hub OCBC Arena and there was a booth to promote Hokkaido cycling tour.

They have a pamphlet with routes in a few areas and this website printed on the back.

http://www.hokkaido.cci.or.jp/cycletourism-hokkaido/

err he is going with parents

 

[James Tang]

Just wondering how far you want to drive? Covering these 3 big areas is going to be a nightmare to plan.

Suggestion only:

1. Hit to Hokkaido first and stay there for 5-8 days (effectively half of your trip)
- Reason: Hokkaido is a hot spot for golden week. Not hitting yet even when you are moving out)
- Then plan accordingly based on various trip report (to drive or not to drive)

2. Move to Tokyo: 2 nights

3. Rest of trip: Osaka

4. Fly off from KIX

 

[starun]

Thanks for the breakdown Szeli,
I have spoken to folks and we are considering it, at least not putting the idea aside haha!

1. in-car GPS with English is easy to use. I used Google as a backup.
2. rental can be fairly cheap if u book in advance. tolls r easy to handle with e ETC card rental.
3. there r alot of service stops on their highways. just schedule enough rest stops.

 

[starun]

Can we rely on google maps? If so how would be recommend non toll roads?

How will car rental work, do u have any to recommend Seems like self drive is only needed in Hokkaido?

in Hokkaido, tolls can be avoided using non-toll roads which are just as good/fast

my last trip in Sep17, covered 2,388km over 14 days, paid JPY 980 in toll =)

 

[starun]

Thanks Coldkey, it looks interesting, I may shortlist this if decide to embark on a more adventurous trip next round

Was at OCBC Cycle @ Sports Hub OCBC Arena and there was a booth to promote Hokkaido cycling tour.

They have a pamphlet with routes in a few areas and this website printed on the back.

http://www.hokkaido.cci.or.jp/cycletourism-hokkaido/

 

[starun]

Hi James, what u proposed basically means starting from Hokkaido and move towards south.

Driving in Hokkaido only(suggested by fellow travellers), consensus is public transport if itinerary allows.

One of our intent is to catch the Sakura. With the proposal, we might not catch any as Sakura in Hokkaido starts May, while the south region starts from March onwards. Do correct me if I make an error. Appreciate

Our travel period is last 2 weeks of Apr.

Just wondering how far you want to drive? Covering these 3 big areas is going to be a nightmare to plan.

Suggestion only:

1. Hit to Hokkaido first and stay there for 5-8 days (effectively half of your trip)
- Reason: Hokkaido is a hot spot for golden week. Not hitting yet even when you are moving out)
- Then plan accordingly based on various trip report (to drive or not to drive)

2. Move to Tokyo: 2 nights

3. Rest of trip: Osaka

4. Fly off from KIX

 

[coldkey]

With Sakura, there is no certainty on the dates as they are driven by the weather.

You may want to base yourself in central location then ride trains out to specific locations according to actual reports on the ground when you reached there. Unfortunately Hokkaido is not too well connected yet so a express ride from Hakodate to Sapporo takes 3hrs+. It is still not bad if you take the first train out or an overnight bus. Can always sleep on the transport.

These guides can give you indication of the estimated dates.
https://www.jnto.go.jp/sakura/eng/index.php
https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/

The way I would plan the trip would be to start north and move southwards with a JR pass. That way, you are bound to encounter it somewhere along the trip. You can skip ahead and catch the flowers at nice location according to the weather then return back to continue your itinerary after that.

You can book multiple locations on the same day using booking sites like booking.com then cancel them accordingly as you get closer to the travel dates when you have better forecast of the Sakura blooms. Most of them allow free cancellation if you cancel 3 days ahead.